Former Montreal Expo, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Pedro Martinez will appear on Studio 42 with Bob Costas next Wednesday. The interview has already been taped, but the interview will appear on MLB Network just before the season begins. Some interesting excerpts have been released including what Pedro says about Game 7 of the 2003 American League Championship Series that led to the firing of Red Sox manager Grady Little. Pedro comes out in defense of Grady and gives credit for the New York Yankees for coming back against him.
And there are other things that Bob and Pedro discuss on the interview. Check out the press release.
PEDRO MARTINEZ OPENS UP IN A NEW EPISODE OF STUDIO 42 WITH BOB COSTAS ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30
Secaucus, N.J., March 24, 2011 – Three-time Cy Young Award winner Pedro Martinez discusses his prolific career in a new episode of MLB Network’s Studio 42 with Bob Costas on Wednesday, March 30 at 7:00 p.m. ET. Taped on March 9, 2011, Martinez reveals his thoughts on the possibility of pitching this season, meeting with Hall of Famer Ted Williams at the 1999 All-Star Game at Fenway Park, his altercation with New York Yankees bench coach Don Zimmer during Game Three of the 2003 ALCS, how former Boston Red Sox manager Grady Little handled Game Seven of the 2003 ALCS, and Martinez’s departure from the Red Sox following the club’s World Series championship in 2004. Throughout the hour-long episode, Martinez also offers his opinion on pitching through pain, growing up in the Dominican Republic and his legacy in the game. A preview of the episode can be viewed here.
Martinez, an eight-time All-Star, currently holds a career .687 winning percentage, 2.93 ERA and 3,154 strikeouts. He has pitched for the Los Angeles Dodgers (1992-1993), Montreal Expos (1994-1997), Red Sox (1998-2004), New York Mets (2005-2008) and Philadelphia Phillies (2009). As a member of the Red Sox, Martinez won the 1999 American League pitching Triple Crown, leading the league with 23 wins, 313 strikeouts and a 2.07 ERA. Martinez was a key member of the 2004 World Champion Red Sox, winning 16 regular season games and Game Three of the World Series.
Following Studio 42 with Bob Costas, MLB Network will air a live Spring Training game featuring the Boston Red Sox against the Houston Astros at 8:00 p.m. ET. The game will be a carriage of a local telecast, including local announcers.
Highlights from the interview with Martinez include:
ON WHETHER HE COULD PITCH IN 2011:
I’m not ruling it out, I’m leaving the door open but at the same time I’m really getting used to being with the family and getting comfortable. I’m not used to being at home yet, I’m still eager to move and step away from the house and all that, but at the same time my family’s becoming the number-one aspect in my life.ON MEETING TED WILLIAMS AT THE 1999 ALL-STAR GAME AT FENWAY PARK:
It meant probably so much that I cannot even describe. And not only putting up a show, it was being called in by Ted Williams and autographing my program, and saying, “That was some of the best pitching performance I’ve ever seen.” Those were his words when he said that. He said, “You’re going to be a great one.” To me, that meant so much. Forget about the MVP trophy, it was what he said and what he wrote in that program that meant really a lot to me.ON HIS ALTERCATION WITH DON ZIMMER DURING 2003 ALCS GAME THREE:
I think that’s probably the worst highlight that you could ever find about me. Everything else, I don’t mind. …But Don Zimmer was probably the only thing that I might be embarrassed [about] for the rest of my career.ON BOSTON RED SOX MANAGER GRADY LITTLE LEAVING HIM IN TO PITCH DURING THE EIGHTH INNING OF 2003 ALCS GAME SEVEN:
I say he did what he felt was right for him to do. I would say that I still had stamina and I had good enough stuff to get them out. I would stick to that and I believe that. What you have to do is give those guys on the Yankees side credit for making it happen. I made some great pitches. I don’t think Grady has anything to be blamed for. As a matter of fact, Grady should be in the big leagues with a team, managing a team right now regardless of what happened that day.
And that will do it.
